Connecting technology know-how and process knowledge

Online/offline process and process chain adaptivity

In-depth technological understanding for high-performance production

Industrie 4.0 – Networked, adaptive production

What has come to be known as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” is being shaped predominantly by production digitization and networking. Much of this remains a vision – for the time being. However companies with the will to succeed in the fiercely competitive global markets need to consider today the role they wish to play in “Industrie 4.0” tomorrow.

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Inter-connectivity and adaptivity in production are forming a strong foundation for Industrie 4.0.

The term adaptivity is synonymous with a new form of flexibility and adaptability of production processes and process chains which are self-adapting and optimizing. In its research and development projects, the Fraunhofer IPT addresses the challenges associated with planning both individual steps and the entire production process, in a virtual environment and in a simulation-assisted process then implements these in the corresponding machines, equipment and software systems.

The starting point is the networking of equipment and software systems, smart control and sensor systems permitting the acquisition and subsequent provision of all technology and process-related information. Either alone or with our cooperation partners, who are usually from the Fraunhofer network and from the RWTH Aachen University, we develop the IT infrastructures such as industrial cloud concepts for smart services, which are required in order to evaluate such large volumes of data and utilize them effectively.

Thus, we transform our customers´ production systems into highly flexible, interconnected and adaptable units – completely in line with the principles of Industrie 4.0.

Leitmotiv

The Fraunhofer IPT concluded a thorough review of its strategic processes in 2015 by adopting a new leitmotiv for its work. Managing Chief Engineer Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bergs describes how his Institute arrived at its current position – and how it sees the path into the future.